Florence Kling Harding was a few steps ahead of the women of her time. Thanks to passage of the 19th Amendment allowing women to vote for president, Mrs. Harding proudly cast her first ballot in November 1920 – for her own husband. Born in Marion in 1860 to Amos and Louisa (Bouton) Kling, Florence was […]
People
Cheryl Huffman
Can you recall your favorite memory with Mrs. Huffman, the elementary school phys ed teacher? How about Coach Huffman, the Harding High track and field coach? Or possibly you have a favorite memory with Coach Huffman, the former Harding cheer coach? Cheryl Huffman, born and raised in Marion, attended Marion City Schools, later continuing her […]
Mary Ellen Withrow
March 1, 2019, marked 25 years since Marion native Mary Ellen Withrow was sworn in as the 40th Treasurer of the United States. She is the only person to have held the post of treasurer at all three levels of government–local, state, and national. Her career in public service began 50 years ago when she […]
Miss America Marilyn Meseke
In 1938, Marion entered the record books, becoming the first and only town in the United States—a record still true to this day—to boast both a U.S. President and a Miss America. While the story of Warren G. Harding is familiar to most in the Marion area, Marilyn Meseke’s rise to the pinnacle of beauty […]
Trella Romine
A Not So Ordinary Life Trella Hemmerly was born on November 3, 1915, to David Ray and Myrtle Ivaloo Sheneman Hemmerly in Marion, Ohio. She had one sister, Mary Louise Hemmerly Rockwell Hecker, 1919-2006. She graduated from Harding High School in 1933 where she edited the school newspaper, the Harding Herald, and was a member […]
Jim Thorpe
The Greatest Athlete in the World He was called the “greatest athlete of the first half of the 20th century.” The King of Sweden went further, calling him “the greatest athlete in the world.” One of the most accomplished all-around athletes in history, Jim Thorpe had a strong tie to Marion County. For a brief period–two […]